Free movement of goods

Abstract

The free movement of goods is secured through the elimination of customs duties and quantitative restrictions, and the prohibition of measures having an equivalent effect. The principles of mutual recognition, elimination of physical and technical barriers, and promotion of standardisation were added in order to continue the completion of the internal market. The adoption of the New Legislative Framework (NLF) in 2008 strengthened the free movement of goods, the EU’s market surveillance system and the CE mark. Recent research indicates that the benefits arising from the principle of free movement of goods and related legislation amount to 386 billion euros annually.